Stirrup.



PATENTED APR. 14, 1903.

J. M. BIRTELS.

STIRRUP.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

vvuawtoz Q/WHD mcooao ATENT FFICE.

JOHN M. BIRTELS, OF CASS LAKE, MINNESOTA.

'STIRRUP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 725,204, dated April 14;, 1903. Application filed May 22, 1902. Serial No. 108,584- (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, JOHN M. BIRTELS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Cass Lake,

in the county of Cass and State of Minnesota,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stirrups; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to stirrups for riding-saddles; and its primary object is to provide stirrups of improved construction which will quickly release the riders feet in case he is thrown from his mount, thus greatly lessening the danger of injury.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stirrup of simple and effective construction which will remain firmly intact while in proper position to receivethe foot of the rider and be neat and presentable in appearance.

The invention comprises a stirrup-iron provided with an upwardly-projecting socket and a suspending-loop detachably secured within the socket.

The construction of the improvement will be fully described hereinafter in connection with the accompanying drawings and its novel features defined in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar figures of reference are used to denote similar parts in each of the several views, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a stirrup embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, showing the suspending-loop detached. Fig. 3 is a front elevation showing the parts detached. Fig. 4 is a front elevation, and,

Fig. 5 a side elevation, of a modified construction of the device.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the reference-numeral 1 designates the base-plate or foot-rest of the stirrup, and 2 the frame thereof. Projecting centrally from the top of the frame 2 is a socket comprising ing two parallel arms 3, having their upper ends l bentinward and grooved or undercut, as shown at 5. Adjacent to their lower ends the arms 3 are connected by a transverse rod 6.

7 designates the suspending-loop of the stirpin 12.

rup, to which the saddle-strap is to be at tached. The loop 7 is formed with a head 8, cut away at its lower portion to adapt it to fit upon the rod 6 and recessed on opposite sides to form beveled shoulders 9, which conform to the shape of the undercut ends of the arms 3.

The utility and operation of the device constructed as thus described will be readily understood. The engagement of the recessed head of theloop with the rod 6 and the fric= tional contact of the shoulders 9 of the loop with the ends of the arms 3 holds the loop 7 in place within the socket formed by the arms 3. In case of accident or throwing of the rider the loop 7 rocks upon the rod 6 and is thus disengaged from the stirrup-iron, leaving the latter on the riders foot. Thus the danger of dragging the thrown rider by the stirrups is entirely avoided.

The structure ofthe improvement is light and simple, the securing and detaching devices requiring but little work or material.

In Figs. 4: and 5 I have shown the invention applied to a Wooden stirrup. In this embodiment of the improvement the arms 3 are formed integral with a yoke 10, to which the stirrup-frame 11 is secured bya suitable cross- 7 The construction of the suspendingloop shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is identical with the loop shown in the other figures.

It is obvious that the invention may be applied to either metal or wooden stirrupframes, andI would have it understood thatI do not desire to limit my invention to the construction herein shown and described, as various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. Thecombination with a stirrup-iron having projecting arms constituting a socket, of a rod connecting said arms, and a loop-iron detachably held between the arms and recessed to engage said rod.

2. The combination with astirrup-iron having projecting arms constituting a socket, of a rod connecting said arms and a' loop-iron provided with a head to fit between the arms and recessed to fit upon said rod.

3. The combination with a stirrup-iron, of

arms projecting therefrom and bent inward arms 'andaloop-iron detachably held between at their upper ends, a rod connecting said the arms and recessed to engage said rod. 10 arms, and a suspending loop-iron conforming In testimony whereof I affix my signature in shape to the arms and recessed to fit upon in presence of two Witnesses.

said rod. JOHN M. BIRTELS.

4. An attachment for stirrups comprising a Witnesses: yoke having upwardly-projecting arms c0n- E. M. STANTON,

stituting a socket, of a rod connecting said W. T. MOKEORON. 

